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Dog owners are being reminded of changes to dog licensing rules which become effective on 3 October.

 

The new rules deal with the control conditions for problem dogs, dog licence fees and fixed penalty notices.

 

Increase in fees

From the start of next month, individual dog licence fees will increase from ÂĢ5 to ÂĢ12.50, while block licence fees will increase from ÂĢ12.50 to ÂĢ32. There will be concessions for dog owners aged 65 or over and those in receipt of certain benefits. Owners who have had their dog neutered will also be able to get a reduced fee.

 

Dog wardens will have powers to impose certain control conditions on the licence of individual dogs in order to control problem behaviour. The range of control conditions available include:

  • a requirement to keep a dog muzzled when in public
  • keeping a dog away from certain specified public places
  • keeping a dog securely confined

 

All dog owners are also being advised to microchip their animals as soon as possible.

 

Compulsory microchipping is being introduced in spring 2012.

 

Owners may currently take advantage of free chipping provided through local councils, the Dogs Trust and participating veterinary practices.

 

 

This free service will be available until April 2012 and further details can be obtained from local council dog wardens.

 

 

http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/new...of-licensing-changes

 

 

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I thought they had done away with this but .........  from a link in the above link

 

Offence

It is an offence to own an unlicensed dog, unless the dog is:

  • a puppy under six months old and kept by the person who was also the keeper of the bitch that gave birth to the puppy
  • an assistance dog used by a disabled person
  • a dog kept, and on offer for sale, in a licensed petshop
  • a police dog
  • a dog kept under a block licence, on the premises to which the block licence relates

Domestic pet dogs must be licensed individually. Currently, the licence fee is ÂĢ5.

From 3 October 2011 a licence for a pet dog will cost ÂĢ12.50 (but see below for reduced licence fees available to some owners).

 

http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/ind...gs/dog-licensing.htm

 

 

If you do not have a valid licence

Keeping a dog without a valid licence may result in a warning, a formal caution, a fixed penalty or prosecution and a fine of up to ÂĢ1,000.

It is also an offence to take possession of a dog (whether you paid for it or not) before you have obtained a licence for it. Again, you can be prosecuted for this offence and may be liable to a maximum fine of ÂĢ1,000. The person who gave or sold the dog to you is also guilty of an offence.

 

 

MrsH

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